Mayor Confirms ‘Multiple Fatalities’ in Jacksonville, Florida Shooting
A tragic incident unfolded on a Saturday afternoon in Jacksonville, Florida, where a shooting claimed the lives of multiple individuals.
Jacksonville’s Mayor, Donna Deegan, conveyed the heartbreaking news to media, sharing that the city had experienced “multiple fatalities.” The specifics of the incident were expected to be provided by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office in the near future.
In a conversation with CNN’s affiliate WJXT, Mayor Deegan revealed that the shooter had taken refuge within a Dollar General store situated on Kings Road. The exact location of the victims’ injuries, whether within the store premises or elsewhere, remained unclear at that moment.
Eric Prosswimmer, a spokesperson from the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, informed that their team was standing by, ready to offer assistance to those injured. However, due to the ongoing nature of the situation, he refrained from disclosing the number of individuals affected by the tragedy.
Jacksonville, nestled in northeast Florida and approximately 35 miles south of the Georgia border, found itself grappling with this distressing incident. The vicinity around the Dollar General store encompasses several churches and an apartment complex just across the street.
In response to this unfortunate event, Edward Waters University, a historically Black private Christian institution, located less than a mile southeast from the store, took proactive measures. They issued a stay-in-place directive across their campus, indicating that preliminary reports suggested no involvement of their students, faculty, or staff.
The university’s alert assured that their campus police had effectively secured all campus facilities. As a precautionary measure, students were requested to remain in their residence halls throughout the afternoon until authorities deemed the scene secure and safe.
As investigations unfolded, it was revealed that this incident stemmed from a domestic altercation. The shooting extended to multiple locations, including the Cross Creek apartments on Manotak Avenue. Another shooting incident occurred, resulting in life-threatening injuries, near the Riverbank Apartments. Reports indicated that this second shooting was triggered by an argument at a bar and was linked to domestic violence.
Law enforcement agencies diligently carried out their investigations into these tragic events. The news of the shooting swiftly garnered coverage, shedding light on the urgency to address gun violence and its consequences within communities.
The city of Jacksonville, Florida, was united in grief as authorities worked to piece together the events surrounding this devastating incident, emphasizing the need for continued efforts to prevent such occurrences in the future.
By: M Z Hossain, Editor Sky Buzz Feed
